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'It stings': Waratahs on Brumbies claiming win streak has killed rivalry
By AAP
Stung by comments the bitter rivalry between the Waratahs and Brumbies is dead, NSW are hoping the return of Wallabies back Lalakai Foketi helps kick-start their faltering Super Rugby Pacific attack.
The teams square off at GIO Stadium on Saturday night after ACT chairman Matt Nobbs declared 'Tah Week' had lost its aura with his side winning the last 10 clashes straight.
The Brumbies lead the Australian charge in the 2023 competition with four wins from five matches, including a round-one victory over NSW, while the Waratahs have the reverse record.
Waratahs captain Jake Gordon, who this week committed to Australian rugby until the end of 2025, admitted on Thursday he wasn't thrilled with the comments.
"It's his opinion and I'm not going to lie it stings a bit, but that's up to us to perform better," said World Cup hopeful Gordon.
The Waratahs held the unbeaten table-topping Chiefs to a 7-7 scoreline at halftime last round, but let themselves down with a swag of handling errors to fall to a 12-point defeat.
As well as the return of inside centre Foketi, NSW also welcome back exciting youngster Max Jorgensen at fullback, both overcoming shoulder complaints.
"I'm really happy to have those guys back," halfback Gordon said.
"To have those two guys back this week is exciting because we really want to be confrontational with the Brumbies and also to be able to spread the ball.
"Our attack has been a little bit clunky of late ... have La (Foketi) come back, who can pretty much do everything - a great kick, great pass, really good feet, great communicator - his distribution will be important for us."
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones will name his first training squad on Sunday with Gordon vying for a spot alongside Brumbies No.9s Nic White and Ryan Lonergan.
Gordon said Jones had told him he wanted him to stay in Australia, which helped sway his decision to re-sign.
But the 12-Test representative said it wasn't any extra motivation for the Canberra clash.
"Round one was massive for us and this one is too, but we need to focus on ourselves and not get got caught up in the hype and play some really good rugby," he said.
"Defensively last week was great but we haven't been able to consistently play good rugby and we want to do that this weekend."
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Latest Comments
I think we need to get innovative with the new laws.
Now red cards are only 20 minutes, Razor should send Finau on a head hunting mission to hospitalise their 10 with a shoulder to the chops.
Give the conspiracy theorists a win.
Go to commentsEngland played well enough to win but couldnt score when they needed to and couldnt defend a couple of X-Factor moments from Telea which was ultimately the difference. They needed to hold the ball more and make the AB's make more tackles. Territorially they were good for the first 60. Defending their lead and playing pragmatic rugby in the last 20 was silly. The AB's always had the potential to come back. England still have a long way to go, definite progress would have been shown had they won but it seems they are still stuck where they were shortly after the six nations and their tour to NZ
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